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Daily Routine of a monk

AS a devoutly Buddhist country, Myanmar is home to countless monasteries. Every village, no matter how small, has at least one monastery where phongyis (monks) live. These monks are considered to be sons of the Buddha, who joined the order of
monks during his quest for nibbana, that eternal peace in which all human passions are stilled and the painful process of repeated rebirths comes to an end.

It is obligatory for every Buddhist boy to become a koyin (novice) once in his lifetime, and spend some time living in a monastery. In ancient times, novices spent three months in the monastery, but these days, changes in lifestyles dictate that many boys only stay during holiday periods, such as the Thingyan Water Festival, or the second quarter of the year to avoid missing any of their education.

It is the responsibility of parents in Myanmar to send their male children into novicehood. Even poor parents save money for
the day of the novitiation ceremony. Both parents must be present at the ceremony so together they can hold a white sheet to catch the boy’s hair as it is shaven off by an elder monk. If one of the parents has died or is unable to participate, it becomes cause for sorrow at the ceremony.

Any male who has reached the age of 20, regardless of his social class, background or statement of belief, can join the order of monks. However, he must posses the eight items necessary for the order, including three robes, an alms bowl, waistband, sewing kit, razor and water strainer (to remove living creatures from water). He must also have someone to sponsor him at the ordination ceremony. This takes place in a consecration hall called a thein, involves at least five qualified monks and takes about four to five hours to perform.

Apart from the eight necessary items, a monk entering the order can take little else with him to the monastery. There is no requirement to make a vow to stay in the monkhood for a lifetime, so a monk can leave the monastery and return to normal life at any time. However, many younger monks spend several years learning the Buddhist scriptures from elder monks.

The daily routine of a monastery starts around 4:00am, usually signalled by the beating of a wooden stick or the ringing of a gong hanging in the monastic compound. The ringing starts slowly, and then rises to a crescendo of regular rhythmic beats before becoming slower once again. This is the signal for the laypeople at the monastery to start cooking rice and other food for the monks, who have been fasting since 12 noon the previous day.

Before the rising of the sun, everyone in the monastery gathers in the prayer hall to sit before the Buddha image and say a group prayer for about 30 minutes. Following this, under the supervision of a senior monk, the novices and other young helpers gather water to clean the shrine room and other parts of the compound quickly, quietly and efficiently. Then it is time for a simple breakfast of rice or rice gruel.

After breakfast, young students take classes on Buddhist scripture taught by elder monks. Around 8:30am, the monks leave the monastery in a single-file line, walking through town to receive alms in the form of food from donors waiting in front of their homes. Most monks receive a spoonful of rice, but some well-to-do households hand out bowls of curry as well. The monks receive these offerings in silence and with downcast eyes, but in understanding of the merit gained by all parties – for the donor, the merit of giving (dana) to help attain nibbana, and for the monk, the merit of observing the Buddhist precept of receiving
alms with humility.

Upon returning to the monastery, the monks bathe, and then gather for lunch around 11:00 or 11:30am. They sit on the floor at low, round tables and eat their last meal of the day. The best food is offered to the taikoat (presiding monk). After all the monks have finished, the novices eat their meals, and then wash all the plates and bowls. 

While some older monks might take a post-lunch nap, younger ones may spend time mending their robes or meditating. At about 1:00pm scriptural lessons are resumed. This period might include breaks for informal discussions or talks about what they have learnt. As Pali-language passages from the Buddhist scriptures are expected to be memorised, lessons are repeated over and over until about 5:00pm.

Many monks spend the early evening hours outdoors, tidying the monastic compound or strolling around engaged in walking meditation. Others sweep the prayer rooms or change the water in the small cups that are placed in front of the Buddha images as an offering.

After dusk, the monks gather, and those who broke rules are reprimanded by their elders. This is followed by an evening scriptural lesson and a period of prayer. The young monks are then quizzed on their comprehension of the lessons taught throughout the day. These activities continue until about 10:00pm, when everyone in the monastery goes to sleep. The monastic compound then falls into complete silence, at peace and in harmony with the tranquil surroundings.

Author by Myintzu (SweSone Yangon Inflight Magazine)

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